How Witches Became a Symbol of Halloween

Oct 29

Halloween, with its spooky and supernatural imagery, has become one of the most widely celebrated holidays. Among the many symbols of Halloween, such as ghosts, pumpkins and skeletons, witches stand out as some of the most enduring. Often depicted flying on broomsticks or stirring cauldrons of bubbling potions, witches capture the imagination with both fear and fascination. To understand how they became such a central part of Halloween celebrations, we need to look into the history and the shifting perception of witches.

The Origins of a Spooky Tradition

The origin of Halloween can be traced back to the Celtic festival of Samhain, celebrated on October 31st. Samhain marked the end of the harvest season and the start of winter, a time when it was believed that the boundary between the living and the dead was thinnest. During this festival, people lit bonfires and wore costumes to ward off wandering spirits.

As Christianity spread, Samhain merged with All Hallows' Eve, a night to honour the saints before All Saints’ Day. Over time, this became the Halloween we recognise it today. Witches, with their association with magic and the supernatural, fit naturally into the eerie and otherworldly themes of the holiday.

The Origins of Witches

The concept of witchcraft had roots in classical antiquity. In ancient civilisations, magic and religion were often intertwined. In ancient Rome, laws existed to regulate harmful magic, but these practices were not inherently evil. Pagan societies viewed magical practitioners—those who used herbs, rituals, and divination—as having access to spiritual or natural powers. However, the rise of Christianity shifted the perception of magic, associating it with heresy and devil-worship. This marked the beginning of a more negative view of witchcraft, setting the stage for later persecution.

During the Early Modern periods, the infamous witch hunts took place, which saw thousands of people accused of witchcraft and executed across Europe and later the American colonies. During this time, in Western countries the figure of the witch also became strongly associated with women.

The Evolution of the Witch Image

The familiar image of the witch as an old, malevolent woman with a pointy hat, broomstick and hooked nose came largely from early modern European and American folklore and was further popularised by literature and art. Works like Shakespeare’s Macbeth portrayed witches as dark, manipulative figures, reinforcing their place in the collective imagination as beings to be feared. While Albrecht Dürer’s engravings such as The Witch, that portrays a naked old woman riding a goat backwards, are a better example of the more sexualised and grotesque German propaganda.

After the witch hunts faded away, in the following centuries the witches made their way from the courtrooms to the pages of fairy tales books and paintings.

By the 20th century, witches had cemented their place as central figures in Halloween celebrations, thanks to their portrayal in movies and popular culture. From the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz to the beloved characters in Hocus Pocus, witches began to occupy a range of roles, some terrifying and others empowering. Today, they are a staple of Halloween, embodying both danger and mystery.

The Witch as a Symbol of Independence

Since the 1960s, the witch has been reclaimed as a symbol of female empowerment and independence. A woman who is unapologetically herself, defying societal expectation and asserting her autonomy. This transformation aligns with the feminist movement's emphasis on self-empowerment and the rejection of patriarchal constraints.

In my art collection All of Us Witches, I honour the legacy of the women who were victims of the witch hunts. I aim to connect them to today’s female empowerment, by highlighting the similarities of the stereotypes they fell victim to and today’s societal biases against women.

Conclusion: The Witch's Enduring Legacy

From ancient healers to modern-day feminists, witches have undergone a dramatic transformation throughout history. Once feared and persecuted, they have emerged as a symbol of strength, independence, and resilience. Their journey reflects the broader struggle for women’s rights and freedom.

As we celebrate Halloween, we honour not only its spooky traditions but also remember the long struggle of women under patriarchal structures. By reclaiming the witch as a symbol of resilience and independence, we draw power to stand against discrimination.

We send back the negative conservative spirits, those forces that, like the ghosts of Halloween, still haunt us with attempts to hold back progress and equality.

Sources:

Smithsonian Mag, The Witches of Halloween Past
National Geographic, Halloween: costumes, history, myths, and more
Brandeis University, Modern witchcraft: Empowerment, feminism, and rituals
Wikipedia, Halloween

Ilaria Viu